Merciful Love
Have you ever had the experience of knowing what you should be doing but chose to do something else? When this occurs, do you feel a little nudge towards the greater choice, even if it is for the next time this opportunity of a decision is available? This is often my own predicament, I know what I should be doing but I sheepishly choose a different option. This of course is immediately followed by a gentle prod for a more sacrificial response. I think the saints struggled with this same tendency, all throughout the history of our faith. Our body wants to do one thing but our faith pulls us gently in a different direction- a heavenly direction.
This thought came to me after I recently purchased a new book written about Mother Angelica by Raymond Arroyo titled, "The Prayers and Personal Devotions of Mother Angelica." This book has been a wonderful little find, filled with many of the little thoughts, journal writings and personal prayers of Mother's.
Today, I wanted to share with you my personal favorite prayer that she wrote and one that has opened my eyes to this reality- the reality that this little heavenly nudge is actually another Mercy of God's in disguise.
"Your goodness, my Lord overwhelms me. You care for my every need and forgive all my faults. Your Love surrounds me when I fall and Your Mercy lifts me up. Though I often choose myself over You, Your Grace is ever there to prod me on to greater fidelity. When your Mercy is extended to me, Your Love covers all my wounds and heals my soul. You make all things new, for in each succeeding moment you brush away my past and look upon my soul with infinite tenderness. You lavish gifts upon me because You are so good. Grant, my Lord, that I may be an example of Your Merciful Love.
~Mother Angelica
How easy it is to "put ourselves over Jesus." This does not deter the love of Jesus, but rather sends Him continually to our side to remind us of His love and our own desire for a true and lasting fidelity to Him and His will. How much Jesus looks past all of the times that we choose to do the opposite of what He desires for us, and rather "looks upon my soul with infinite tenderness" as if His love is strengthened in our own weaknesses.
Do not let your past determine your future. Let this prayer be a reminder to you that Jesus is ever waiting and ready to lavish you with His tender love and you can go forward with Him ever at your side. Today make the choice to allow Jesus to love you and look past your past!
This thought came to me after I recently purchased a new book written about Mother Angelica by Raymond Arroyo titled, "The Prayers and Personal Devotions of Mother Angelica." This book has been a wonderful little find, filled with many of the little thoughts, journal writings and personal prayers of Mother's.
Today, I wanted to share with you my personal favorite prayer that she wrote and one that has opened my eyes to this reality- the reality that this little heavenly nudge is actually another Mercy of God's in disguise.
Merciful Love
"Your goodness, my Lord overwhelms me. You care for my every need and forgive all my faults. Your Love surrounds me when I fall and Your Mercy lifts me up. Though I often choose myself over You, Your Grace is ever there to prod me on to greater fidelity. When your Mercy is extended to me, Your Love covers all my wounds and heals my soul. You make all things new, for in each succeeding moment you brush away my past and look upon my soul with infinite tenderness. You lavish gifts upon me because You are so good. Grant, my Lord, that I may be an example of Your Merciful Love.
~Mother Angelica
How easy it is to "put ourselves over Jesus." This does not deter the love of Jesus, but rather sends Him continually to our side to remind us of His love and our own desire for a true and lasting fidelity to Him and His will. How much Jesus looks past all of the times that we choose to do the opposite of what He desires for us, and rather "looks upon my soul with infinite tenderness" as if His love is strengthened in our own weaknesses.
Do not let your past determine your future. Let this prayer be a reminder to you that Jesus is ever waiting and ready to lavish you with His tender love and you can go forward with Him ever at your side. Today make the choice to allow Jesus to love you and look past your past!
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